DOC answers questions regarding proposed closures, Sen. Dush still seeks answers
CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – The Department of Corrections answered some questions regarding the proposed closures of SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp, but Sen. Cris Dush (R-25) still wants more details.
Sen. Dush sent a letter to the DOC in late April asking them for more information in regards to the potential closures. Some of his requests were to see each of the criteria used to determine which institutions to close, the names of the members of the steering committee that recommended the closures and proof that each institution was evaluated equally.
He ended the letter by saying if he did not get a response by the end of May 2, he would 'be considering a State Government Committee hearing for the purpose of issuing a subpoena for the information.'
According to a press release from Sen. Dush's office, the DOC responded to his letter, saying that some of his questions would be answered in a release, with the remainder being answered by their final report. In response to this, Sen. Dush said he would be 'temporarily suspending' his plans to pursue the subpoena process.
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The DOC published its responses to common questions they heard at the public hearings online. Some of the responses include disputing the Boot Camp program's recidivism rate, dispelling speculation that a potential closure of SCI Rockview was motivated by a 'sweetheart deal' for land, and explaining why moving inmates would not cause overcrowding. Sen. Dush saw the responses and did not think all his questions were answered.
'There are a number of problems with what they produced,' Dush said.
He is still concerned about the potential 'sweetheart deal' at Rockview, saying that he was 'approached by some developers that were interested in acquiring land over there' before the DOC made its recommendation. He also mentioned the now publicly available spreadsheets that include both Quehanna and Rockview's 5-year estimated deferred maintenance capital plan.
'My concern is that they're not telling us or giving us the same report for all the other SCIs so that we can see if, in fact, those other SCIs have greater deferred maintenance costs,' Sen. Dush said.
WTAJ asked Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday about how a potential closure could affect rehabilitation services for recovering drug abusers. He says boot camps are a way for people 'to be held accountable,' which he thinks is important.
'Initiatives that hold people accountable, but also give them the tools to be successful in life are absolutely critical for our community, for public safety and for the Commonwealth,' Sunday said.
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Dush did not say when he plans to present another list of questions to the DOC, but he does know what he wants from the department now.
'I think it's in the best interest of the department to delay announcing if they're planning on to actually close it,' Dush said.
WTAJ reached out to the DOC for comment on Sen. Dush's requests for information and did not receive one.
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